עֲטַלֵּף
a bat
Definition
The Hebrew word עֲטַלֵּף (ʻăṭallêph) refers specifically to the bat, a flying mammal. In the biblical context, it is classified among the unclean birds or flying creatures that the Israelites were forbidden to eat, as detailed in the dietary laws of Leviticus 11:19 and Deuteronomy 14:18. The bat is also mentioned symbolically in Isaiah 2:20, where people will cast their idols of silver and gold to the bats, emphasizing creatures associated with dark, desolate places. The word consistently denotes the animal itself, with no extended metaphorical meanings in its occurrences.
Biblical Usage
This word is used exclusively in three verses across the Torah and the Prophets. In Leviticus 11:19 and Deuteronomy 14:18, it appears in lists of unclean creatures as part of the dietary laws, categorizing the bat among birds despite its mammalian nature. In Isaiah 2:20, it is used in a prophetic oracle about the Day of the Lord, where idols are discarded to the bats, associating the creature with ruins and abandonment. All uses are literal, referring to the animal itself.
Etymology
The etymology of עֲטַלֵּף is uncertain, with no clear Semitic root identified. It may be a loanword or onomatopoeic, possibly imitating the sound or flutter of the creature. Cognates are not well-attested in related languages, which adds to the obscurity of its origin. The meaning has remained stable as 'bat' throughout its biblical usage.
Semantic Range
Theologically, the bat's inclusion in the unclean lists (Leviticus 11:19, Deuteronomy 14:18) underscores the biblical categories of purity, teaching separation and holiness in everyday life. Its mention in Isaiah 2:20 highlights the futility of idolatry, as idols will be abandoned to creatures of darkness, reinforcing themes of divine judgment and the worthlessness of false gods. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches reading by connecting dietary law obedience with prophetic symbolism against idol worship.
In ancient Israelite culture, bats were likely viewed with aversion due to their nocturnal habits and association with caves or dark places, fitting their classification as unclean. Unlike modern scientific understanding that categorizes bats as mammals, the biblical text groups them with birds based on their ability to fly, reflecting the observational taxonomy of the time. This cultural perspective explains their symbolic link to desolation in Isaiah 2:20.
עוֹף (ʻôph, H5775) — a general term for flying creatures or birds, whereas עֲטַלֵּף is a specific unclean type.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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